Peer Review

Deploying new services or a new infrastructure building block in the complex health environment can be a daunting task. If services test new ground, involve change and draw on significant resources, it is even more challenging. In these circumstances, it can be very reassuring to have experienced sets of eyes assess the work being undertaken. External experts can give an independent view on the resilience of your approach, potential pitfalls and hidden opportunities. Comparing your approach with models adopted by other European eHealth initiatives can provide you with confidence that your plans are resilient and sustainable.

What’s Involved?

An EHTELconnect Peer Review is an intense, professional but friendly review of your plans and projects. It is organised at a venue to suit you which can be your own premises or at a location best suited to all participants.

The Review involves you, the host organisation, and your team presenting your strategies, plans and projects to a team of highly qualified digital healthcare professionals. Those experts then draw on their experience of innovative implementations of digital care across Europe to analyse your organisation’s approach. Each analysis is tailored to your specific requirements.

Who are the Experts?

The assessment team is drawn from experts within EHTEL’s membership or from its extensive network of contacts. The team is selected according to the nature of your particular project and the subject matter involved. All experts will have direct and specific experience and expertise associated with the plans, actions and issues to be reviewed and all are recognised as European and experts in their field. Naturally, the makeup of the Team will be discussed and agreed with you before the Review begins.

How Much Does it Cost?

The final cost of the work will vary with the scope and complexity of the Review. Typically, the organisation and delivery of a Review lasts around 25 days at a daily rate of €550. Travel and accommodation costs are additional but are charged in line with EC per diem rates applicable to the country concerned.

How Long Does it Take?

Typically a Review lasts around 2-3 days for the initial presentations and discussions although this may vary depending upon the size and complexity of your activities. The first draft of the Review report is then delivered within one month.

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Experienced advice from individuals and organisations with a proven track record in deploying eHealth solutions

Best practice from other European health institutions

Learning lessons from others in the field

The identification of hidden opportunities

The avoidance of known pitfalls

“In Finland, the policy makers needed to have a trusted review of our eHealth achievements and and our chosen strategic approach. As a result, we decided to take advantage of the EHTEL Peer Review service. The exercise proved to be a real success and very valuable to us. The international reviewers came from all over Europe. In their home countries, they all are well-known and active in the fields of eHealth policy, health care administration, standardisation organisations, and hospital management. The Review was carefully structured. The assessors spent two full days with us. We presented our work as well as our plans to them - by focusing on Finland's national information system services, our chosen strategies, and our implementation. The reviewers questioned and analysed our activities in a detailed but friendly way. Their final report was very detailed and clear. It offered us positive recommendations regarding possible changes, additions and improvements to our planned work.

The review gave us the opportunity to reflect on our work to date. It meant we could be positive about our investments. We could also move forward with confidence as a country with our eHealth work. As a next step form the lessons learned during the review, the Ministry initiated a national process to upgrade our eHealth strategy. The new strategy was published in January 2015.”Päivi Hämäläinien, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland